Friday 24 July 11:25 - 12:55

Hall: 11 - Palazzina 3

Chair and Discussant: Leader John Francis

Division: Division 17: Professional Psychology

Psychology in Europe is at a pivotal moment, shaped by shifting societal demands, rapid digitalisation, and evolving health policy frameworks.


The European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA), representing over 400,000 psychologists across 37 countries, plays a central role in aligning professional standards, policy engagement, and organisational transformation.


Mental health has risen on the European Union (EU) agenda, with initiatives emphasising prevention, promotion, and integration across sectors. Psychology's contribution to collective well-being requires stronger recognition of its systemic and ecological dimensions, including considering digitalisation as a social determinant of health.


This is an opportunity for psychologists to inform EU policymaking, where they remain underrepresented despite offering crucial expertise for evidence-based policy and practice.


Professional development is equally critical. EuroPsy provides a common framework for competence, ethics, and education in psychology. Recent revisions to EuroPsy standards and the Metacode of Ethics reflect the profession's adaptation to diverse contexts and emerging fields of practice.


Organisational transformation within EFPA and amongst its members is vital to amplify advocacy, strengthen participatory governance, and equip future generations of psychologists to anticipate and shape societal change.


In this session EFPA leadership will share the Federation's active work in these areas, which underline psychology's unique capacity to advance sustainable health and well-being across Europe.